I am ferocious, scary, angryI am full of sharp claws and fierce biteI am outer bearI am protective, scared, running, avoiding, ignoringI am fighting myself, my fears, my desires, my inner not enough monstersHiding myself and presenting my outer bear to the worldAnd yet…If I remember to breathe, to pause, to check in with myselfI can surrender, give myself permission to softenSurrender my fierce hold on control, who I am, things I shouldSurrender the thoughts that life will be perfect once I complete this or thatThese thoughts that keep happiness and success and achievement always just out of reach, just round the next bendWhen I surrender to bearI can accept her protection, her claws, her fierceness,I can luxuriate in her fur and her warmthMy inner bearI can surrender my fears and my monsters – she’s on it, she has itI can just beMeVulnerable, imperfect, human